Conyers' wife pleads guilty

World at a Glance

June 27, 2009

MICHIGAN

DETROIT -- City Council member Monica Conyers, the wife of powerful Democratic Rep. John Conyers, pleaded guilty Friday to accepting cash bribes in exchange for supporting a sludge contract with a Houston company.

Conyers, a political unknown who won her council seat in 2005 largely on her husband's name, admitted in federal court to a single count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

She faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced.

Conyers, 44, left court without commenting.

Her lawyer, Steve Fishman, said he will ask the judge to impose a sentence that does not include prison time.

John Conyers, 80, who prosecutors said knew nothing of the bribery, declined to comment as he walked to the House floor for a vote Friday.